TIFF: „Jesús“ and „Marija“ another two Filmstiftung-backed films in the programme
- „Jesús“ by Fernando Guzzoni as world premiere, production company: unafilm, Cologne
- „Marija“ by Michael Koch, production company: Pandora Film, Cologne
- Nine Filmstiftung-backed films to screen at the 41st Toronto International Film Festival from 8 – 18 September
Some more films have now been announced for the 41st edition of the Toronto International Film Festival, North America’s largest and most important festival. The „Discovery“ sidebar will be presenting two productions that were backed by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW and co-produced by Cologne-based production companies: „Jesús“ by Fernando Guzzoni, produced by unafilm, as a world premiere, and „Marija“ by Michael Koch, produced by Pandora Film.
This means that a total of nine Filmstiftung-backed productions will be presented in Toronto. Already announced: „Toni Erdmann“ by Maren Ade (Special Presentations), „The Beautiful Days of Aranjuez“ by Wim Wenders (Masters of Cinema), „The Dreamed Path“ („Der traumhafte Weg“) by Angela Schanelec (Wavelengths), „Apprentice“ by Boo Junfeng as well as the world premiere of „Clair Obscur“ by Yeşim Ustaoğlu (Contemporary World Cinema), „Nocturama“ by Bertrand Bonello (Platform competition) and „Mali Blues“ by Lutz Gregor (TIFF Docs).
About the latest announced films:
„Jesús“
Director Fernando Guzzoni shot his drama „Jesus“ with Nicolás Duran and Alejandro Goic in the leads. The story: Jesús (18) lives in Santiago with his father who is mostly away on the road. He hasn’t been going to school for some time – instead, he dances in a K-pop band and hangs out with his friends in the park. One night, Jesús becomes involved with three other boys in the murder of a gay. Overwhelmed by feelings of guilt, he confides in his father. By now, there are reports about the murder running on every channel. His father takes him to the south of Chile where he is to stay until the situation has calmed down. On his return, his father doesn’t take him home, but instead hands him over to the police. „Jesús“ is an international co-production by Cologne-based unafilm with Rampante Films and JBA Production (both F). The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW supported the film with 60,000 Euros, with additional funding coming from the World Cinema Fund Europe, CNC, Ibermedia, Torino Film Lab, Corfo and the Greek Film Centre. World sales are being handled by Premium Paris.
„Marija“
Marija has come from Ukraine to the northern part of Dortmund, and she resorts to questionable methods in order to fulfil her dream of opening her own hairdressing salon. But moral scruples and emotions are matters that one must be able to afford. Michael Koch directs, with Margarita Breitkreiz and Georg Friedrich cast in the leads. The film by Cologne-based Pandora Filmproduktion was made in co-production with WDR and Arte as well as Hugofilm (CH) and Cologne’s Little Shark Entertainment. The production was supported by the Film- und Medienstiftung NRW with 400,000 Euros, with additional funding coming from DFFF, BKM and FFA along with Switzerland’s BAK and the Zürcher Filmförderung. Cologne-based Real Fiction Verleih will be releasing the film theatrically in February 2017, with France’s Luxbox Films taking on international sales.
Founded in 1976, the Toronto International Film Festival is one of the world’s most popular film festivals and is regarded as a barometer for the forthcoming Oscar awards. Last year saw the festival celebrate its 40th anniversary.
More information about the festival: www.tiff.net
For more information: Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, Tanja Güß, Tel.: 0211-93050-24,